Recently, I experienced a personal challenge and felt very uncertain about how things would turn out.

I’m saved. I believe in Jesus. I know God. But if I can be honest with you, I felt a great sense of uncertainty, and at times, even some anxiety. I just didn’t see clearly how things could possibly turn around fast enough. I needed help quickly.

Because the need was urgent, I will admit, I was tempted to look to people for help. I was prepared to make calls, blast e-mails, send a few text messages, and maybe even put up a post on Face book. My rationale was ‘desperate times called for desperate measures.’

Have you ever felt desperate for help? At one time or another, we all have felt that desperate need for help, that ‘”Fierce Urgency of NOW,” according to President Obama. And when life has you backed into a corner in this way…the mind can become dangerously creative! If unchecked, we may make a bad decision, call on the wrong people, or maybe even attempt to manipulate a way out!

Fortunately, before I could leap too far into my own strategy, God sent this reminder and word of encouragement: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

In my temporary state of desperation, I was prepared to figure things on my own. But, God quickly reminded me through His word that I didn’t need to look to people for help since He already is the help I need.

His word reminded me that I didn’t have to “figure it out” on my own because He is ever-present help. I only needed to look to Him, since God is HELP. That word, arriving when it did, was Grace!

When I got my emotions and my thinking together; then, I was able to rest in the other promise found in the same Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Immediately, I shifted in my mind to a lower gear, slowed down, and then stopped to BE STILL. It was crucial I make the stop because it was then, and only then, I could hear HELP (GOD) speak.

To make a long story short, YES, HE DID provide the help I needed. By listening to HIS helpful instruction, I ended up at the right place, at the right time, with the right people, to get the Help I needed. Hallelujah!

To everyone reading this, I want to encourage you this week, in lieu of what you are facing, slow down, and then stop. Stop to hear God’s voice. Stop to breath in the breath of life and exhale.

Stop and pray. Stop in order to discern what God is showing you. Stop long enough to allow wisdom and Godly instruction to direct your path. Stop before you make a wrong decision. Stop before you call on the wrong person.

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